240: Gather at the mountain gate

The Mountain Gate Plaza was now bustling with noise.

Dozens of figures had already gathered on the massive plaza,

their Auras varying in strength, but the weakest were at the Late Golden Core Stage, and most exhibited the powerful fluctuations of the Nascent Soul Stage!

The air was filled with a sense of solemnity, anticipation, and a faint competitive atmosphere.

The teams participating in the God Burial Abyss Secret Realm were clearly divided into ten small groups.

These were the teams led by the top ten Core Disciples.

At the core of each small group stood a Core Disciple with deep Aura and sharp eyes,

surrounded mostly by Deacon Elders of the Nascent Soul Stage with powerful Auras!

There were very few Disciples in the Golden Core Realm; after all, the Burial God Abyss was notoriously dangerous, and strength was the foundation of survival.

These Nascent Soul Elders were generally at the Mid Nascent Soul Stage or Late Nascent Soul Stage, with not a single one having reached the realm of Nascent Soul Perfection.

This was normal. Those at Nascent Soul Perfection sought the Opportunity for Soul Transformation,

and while the Burial God Abyss held great treasures, it lacked such a Heaven-Defying Opportunity.

The arrival of Yao Delong and Lin Qingxue instantly drew the attention of the entire crowd!

“It's Senior Brother Yao and Senior Sister Lin!”

“Hiss... Senior Sister Lin really achieved a Breakthrough to Nascent Soul! That Aura... it's so strong!”

“Senior Brother Yao... he's clearly still at Golden Core Perfection, but his Aura... why do I feel like it's even more terrifying than some Nascent Soul Elders?”

“Nonsense! Did you forget that punch in front of the Scripture Pavilion? His Physical Body shattered a Nascent Soul Restriction! He's a monster!”

“They're here! The team from Luoxia Peak is not to be underestimated!”

Whispers surged like a tide, and their gazes were filled with awe, curiosity, and apprehension.

Core Disciples who had interacted with Yao Delong, such as Lei Qianjun, Liu Ruyan, and Mu Yuqing,

had complex expressions, showing recognition of his strength, some with goodwill,

and also a hint of indescribable competitiveness.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the plaza, a gaze filled with malice and killing intent locked onto Yao Delong like a venomous snake!

It was Xiao Chen!

Standing beside him were Meng Bi, Dao Ba, and Luo Tianying, who was wearing a purple robe.

Xiao Chen's face still held a trace of sickly paleness,

but the hatred in his eyes was practically bursting forth; he wished he could devour Yao Delong alive!

Luo Tianying, who was in his team, wore an expression of watching a good show,

examining Yao Delong with great interest and a playful look in her eyes.

Even more eye-catching were the ten figures in the center of the plaza whose Auras were deep as an abyss and vast as the sea—the True Disciples!

They stood out like cranes among chickens, naturally forming a powerful presence just by standing there.

Yao Delong's gaze swept over them, and he saw three familiar faces:

The True Disciple of Heavenly Sword Peak, Zhuge Chuixue!

He was still dressed in white, holding an ancient sword, his temperament aloof and cold, as if he didn't belong with his surroundings.

Sensing Yao Delong's gaze, he merely lifted his eyes slightly and nodded, acknowledging the greeting.

The True Disciple of Spirit Forging Peak, Long Xu!

His physique was robust like an iron tower, and his bronze skin seemed to contain explosive power.

He grinned, showing his white teeth, and gave Yao Delong a thumbs-up,

clearly admiring Yao Delong's feat of shattering the Restriction with his Physical Body and achieving the top rank among the Core Disciples.

The True Disciple of Spirit Water Peak, Cang Yunyao!

This woman, with her ethereal temperament and peerless beauty, saw Yao Delong,

and her beautiful eyes instantly lit up. Without hesitation, she threw him a captivating, flirtatious look,

her red lips slightly parted as she silently mouthed a phrase:

“Little Junior Brother, be careful in the Secret Realm~”

Just as Yao Delong was about to nod in return, a sharp pain suddenly came from the soft flesh on his waist!

He gasped, turning his head to see Lin Qingxue looking straight ahead as if nothing had happened,

though the corner of her mouth on her cool profile seemed to be slightly curled downwards,

and one jade-like hand was “gently” placed on his waist.

Yao Delong: “...”

He could only offer Cang Yunyao a slightly awkward smile and quickly averted his gaze.

“Senior Brother, over here!” Xiao Huohuo's voice called out.

Yao Delong and Lin Qingxue immediately walked toward their team.

In the team, Xiao Huohuo and Lin Shishi stood side by side.

Having not seen them for just a month, both of their Auras were noticeably stronger, and they had actually both achieved a Breakthrough to the Middle Golden Core Stage!

Clearly, they had put in strenuous effort this past month, desperately striving to increase their strength.

Beside Xiao Huohuo stood a burly, honest-looking man whose Aura was as deep as an abyss and as imposing as a mountain,

this was none other than his guard—Yue Shan, at Nascent Soul Perfection!

He gave Yao Delong an honest smile and cupped his fists.

The most eye-catching figure, however, was the one standing next to Lin Qingxue.

Han Yun!

Her silver-white hair, like a waterfall, cascaded loosely, shimmering with a cold luster under the sun;

her deep, emerald-green eyes were like the purest jade, clear yet unfathomable;

her skin was snow-white and delicate, flawless like fine white porcelain.

She wore a form-fitting, bright silver close-fitting battle armor that was expertly tailored,

outlining her breathtaking figure. Profound defensive runes were inscribed on the battle armor,

and the shoulder guards featured streamlined, wing-like designs, making her look valiant and heroic,

yet possessing a solemn, inviolable sanctity and nobility!

The powerful Aura of the Late Nascent Soul Stage emanated without reservation, as if a banished immortal goddess had descended upon the mortal world!

“Junior Brother Yao, Junior Sister Clear Snow.”

Han Yun's voice was clear and pleasant, like the clinking of ice and jade. She nodded slightly toward Yao Delong,

her emerald eyes holding a trace of scrutiny, but more so, affection for Lin Qingxue.

[Ding! New target detected!]

[Target: Han Yun]

[Age: 50]

[Cultivation: Late Nascent Soul Stage]

[Spiritual Power Affinity: 9 (Exceptional Talent)]

[Affection Level: 40 (Appreciation)]

The System notification sound rang out in Yao Delong's Sea of Consciousness.

“Senior Brother, this is Senior Sister Han Yun.”

Lin Qingxue immediately stepped forward to introduce them, her cool tone carrying a hint of imperceptible closeness,

“Senior Sister Han, this is my Senior Brother, Yao Delong.”

Han Yun's gaze settled on Yao Delong,

an imperceptible trace of astonishment and curiosity flashing in her emerald eyes.

This was not the first time she had seen Yao Delong; during the Inner Sect Core Ranking Competition,

she had watched him from afar a few times and felt that this youth possessed extraordinary talent.

Meeting him up close now, she truly sensed his unique temperament.

He was handsome and graceful, his posture upright like a pine tree, his face defined by sharp features,

with sword-like brows, starry eyes, a high nose bridge, and a faint, confident smile playing on his lips.

What was most captivating were his deep eyes, which seemed to contain a sea of stars,

steady, wise, and carrying an imposing sharpness that looked down upon the world.

Although he was only at Golden Core Perfection, the presence and pressure he unconsciously exuded,

made even her, a Late Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, feel a faint sense of pressure!

Especially when recalling the shocking Pill Glow Phenomenon of the past few days and the rumors of him shattering the Restriction with his Physical Body in front of the Scripture Pavilion... “I have long heard of Junior Brother Yao's great name, and seeing you today, the rumors are indeed true.”

Han Yun's red lips parted slightly, her voice clear and melodious like the clinking of jade,

carrying a natural coolness, yet still pleasant to the ear,

“The Pill Glow illuminating the sky, shattering the Restriction with your Physical Body—Junior Brother's capability truly leaves this Senior Sister in awe.”

She nodded slightly, genuine admiration in her emerald eyes.

“Senior Sister Han, you flatter me.”

Yao Delong cupped his fists in return, his smile gentle. He met her deep emerald eyes with a straightforward gaze,

“Senior Sister possesses skin of ice and bones of jade, unparalleled grace, and unfathomable cultivation.

Delong had heard about this long ago, and seeing you today, I know the rumors are true.

It is truly our good fortune that Clear Snow could invite Senior Sister to help. With Senior Sister presiding over this journey, Delong feels completely at ease.”

This speech both responded to her praise and highlighted his relationship with Lin Qingxue,

while subtly flattering her and expressing confidence in her strength. The balance was struck perfectly.

Hearing this, a faint smile appeared on Han Yun's cool face,

like melting ice and snow, adding a layer of beauty:

“Junior Brother is too modest. Junior Sister Clear Snow and I share a bond, and Junior Brother is truly an outstanding talent, a Dragon among men.

It is also Han Yun's fortune to be able to participate in this journey.

Inside the Burial God Abyss, I will certainly work together with Junior Brother and Junior Sister Clear Snow.”

This round of professional flattery between the two made Xiao Huohuo and Lin Shishi, who were standing nearby, secretly click their tongues in amazement,

and a faint smile also appeared on Lin Qingxue's cool face.